ACEA

EC Softens Impact Assessment: the Missing Pages

European Commission softens impact assessment to CO2/cars proposal

The European Commission has softened the findings of its impact assessment to its strategy proposal for reducing CO2 emissions from cars. The impact assessment, dated February 7 but only published on the Commission website early April, leaves out crucial parts, concerning the societal costs and the economic consequences, which were part of the original version that served to prepare the Commission’s February 7 CO2 Communication. As a consequence, the societal and economical consequences are played down.

"The findings of the original impact assessment were based on independent research from the Commission's own consultants. The Commission should not just ignore them because it does not like them", said Ivan Hodac, secretary-general of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, ACEA.

The European car manufacturers have critically assessed the impact assessment. "The document starts with a misleading problem definition, ignores the fact that a focus on vehicle technology to reduce CO2 is not at all cost-effective, and arbitrarily reduces the costs industry and consumers face", said Hodac.

The European automotive industry urges the Commission to come forward with a fair and fact-based assessment of the proposals which it is currently working on. The February 7 Communication will be followed by concrete proposals later this year or in early 2008, and an impact assessment to accompany these proposals has been announced.

"We fully support the EU objective of reaching an average of 120 gCO2/km by 2012. But cost-effectiveness is key: more can be done for the environment at lower costs to society. Combining efforts, involving vehicle technology, fuels, infrastructure improvements, driving style and taxation, will reduce CO2 emissions from cars in a more effective and cheaper way", said Hodac. "A vehicle technology-related target of 130 by 2012 is not feasible."

The automotive sector is key for the European economy, with at least 12 million employees and their families depending on manufacturing, research and development of vehicles in Europe. The industry is the largest EU industrial R&D investor, with yearly 5% of its turnover (€20 billion) directed to research and development.

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